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12/22/2024 10:20:40 pm

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Chinese Super League 2016: Shanghai SIPG vs Guangzhou R&F, Preview, Prediction & Predicted Lineup

Shanghai SIPG striker Asamoah Gyan (R)

(Photo : Getty Images) Shanghai SIPG striker Asamoah Gyan (R) with a teammate during practice. SIPG is set to take on Guangzhou R&F at the Shanghai Stadium on Friday.

Last season's runner-up squad Shanghai SIPG FC (1-1-2, 5 points) is set to square off with last season's 14th-placed team Guangzhou R&F FC (1-2-1, 4 points) at their home field of Shanghai Stadium on Friday, April 15th as the 2016 Chinese Super League season moves forward.

After starting the year with a loss to Henan Jianye and draws with Shanghai Shenhua and Chongqing Lifan, Shanghai finally gained its first win of the young season following a 4-0 demolition of lowly club Liaoning Whowin FC also at the Shanghai Stadium last Sunday, as per Sofa Score.

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Local left winger Lu Wenjun opened the scoring early at the 9th minute of the match via an assist by vice-captain Wang Shenchao. Then the Red Eagles doubled their lead right at the stroke of halftime with a strike by attacking midfielder Wu Lei off a brilliant cross by Argentine import Dario Conca.

The floodgates continued to flow in the second half with two more goals, one goal each from two of their imports, Brazilian striker Elkeson and Ghanaian forward Asamoah Gyan, at the 70th and 79th minutes respectively to complete the four-goal haul of head coach Sven-Göran Eriksson's side.

Meanwhile, Guangzhou R&F is coming off a goalless draw with last season's China League One champions Yanbian Funde FC at their home ground of Yuexiushan Stadium on April 8th, via Soccerway.

It was the first drawn match of the Blue Lions in the season after an alternate loss-win-loss start to this year's competitions. Guangzhou dropped its first game to another newly-promoted club, Hebei China Fortune, during the CSL opener in March then won against Tianjin Teda in their second game before losing again to Evergrande in a derby on April 1st.

The predicted result is a 2-0 win for Shanghai SIPG.

Shanghai SIPG starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Yan; Wang S., Kim, Wang J., Sun; Cai, Yu; Wu, Conca, Lu; Elkeson

Guangzhou R&F starting lineup (4-4-1-1 formation): Cheng; Wang J., Jang, Zhang, Jiang; Lu, Svensson, Wang S., Chang; Chen; Giannou

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